Explosion hits riot-torn Ambon<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An explosion believed to be from a bomb thrown
\nnear an Islamic school shook the riot-torn city of Ambon in
\nMaluku province, Antara reported on Thursday.<\/p>\n
An unidentified witness was quoted by the news agency as
\nsaying the explosion in Batu Merah village in Sirimau district
\ncaused neither damage nor casualties but created panic. It was
\nbelieved to have been from a bomb thrown at the school.<\/p>\n
\"The bomb exploded in mid-air, exactly above the roof of a
\nmadrasah (Islamic school),\" the witness said.<\/p>\n
A strong smell of sulfur remained, but despite a police search
\nno traces of explosive were found.<\/p>\n
The news agency reported the explosion, which could be heard
\nfor up to four kilometers, was believed to have come from a
\ncrude, makeshift bomb.<\/p>\n
Violence since last month in the Maluku involving Muslims,
\nChristians, locals and migrants, have left 105 people dead
\naccording to official figures.<\/p>\n
The news agency also said that a fact-finding team from the
\nHouse of Representatives was dispatched to the riot-torn city on
\nWednesday night.<\/p>\n
Legislator La Ode Djeni Hasmar was quoted as saying that the
\nsix-member team will be on a seven-day fact-finding mission in
\nAmbon.<\/p>\n
Antara also reported that days of rioting and violence in
\nAmbon had caused the state-owned electricity company PLN at least
\nRp 1.2 billion in material losses.<\/p>\n
\"This estimate is only for Ambon as the total losses across
\nthe province are still being evaluated,\" Kasian Tanjung, head of
\nthe Maluku office of the company was quoted as saying after
\nmeeting Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina.<\/p>\n
He said the riots had damaged around 10,000 meters of low-
\nvoltage cables, 400 meters of mid-voltage cables and another
\n39,000 meters of house power lines.<\/p>\n
The recent string of violent outbreaks began Jan. 15 on Dobo
\nisland in southeast Maluku, where eight people were killed in
\nriots.<\/p>\n
Four days later, rioting broke out in Ambon itself and lasted
\nnearly a week. At least 85 people were killed in the area alone.
\nSome 20,000 people are still seeking refuge in military bases,
\npolice stations, mosques and churches.<\/p>\n
Another riot broke out on Sanana island, northwest of Ambon,
\nin which two were killed.<\/p>\n
The violence in Ambon was sparked by a fight between a Muslim
\nmigrant and a local Christian public transportation driver on
\nJan. 19. It quickly degenerated into full-scale riots between
\nmembers of the two communities. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/explosion-hits-riot-torn-ambon-1447893297",
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